MONSON FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 16, 2009
Present: Maureen O'Sullivan, Bob Margerison, Joel Keller, Jim Pennington, Gerald Brayton,
Brenda Payette (Administrative Assistant)
Also Present: Deb Mahar (Finance Director), Ed Harrison (Board of Selectmen), Stephen Kozloski (Police Chief), George Robichaud (Fire Chief)
Absent: Peter Ross, Bob Finnegan, Christine Edwards, Peter Fimognari
The meeting was convened at 6:50pm
CORRESPONDENCE:
- Letters from Susan Bishop, Christine Dunn, Rochelle Shicoff to the Finance Committee in support of the Monson Library
- Request for Transfer from the Water Enterprise Reserve Fund.
- Amount Requesting: $6,350.82
- Appropriation Account: Interest on Temporary Interim Loan
- Purpose: To pay Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust Interest due on the Interim Loan.
- Motion was made; it was seconded and SO VOTED.
MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MEMBERS:
NONE
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Mahar informed FinCom that Mr. Morrell mentioned to her that he wanted to be put on the agenda for Monday, March 30, 2009 FinCom meeting. Ms. Payette said she will follow up with Mr. Morrell with an email and will put him on the agenda for March 30, 2009.
Discussion regarding School Committee meeting from March 9, 2009:
Mr. Brayton remarked that he was very bothered about the meeting. He feels that the school department is still administratively top heavy. He feels it appropriate to eliminate the Curriculum Director and combine it with the Superintendant. The Administrators need to share the work load with the teachers.
Ms. O’Sullivan remarked that she is not big on an override and less apt to support one after hearing this is the first year using the new budget system. She would like to look at a few years on the new budget system. She agrees with Mr. Brayton that the school department has a top heavy administration.
Mr. Keller remarked that he feels the challenge is to get the town involved. Need to find a better way of dealing with the situation rather just saying no to an override.
Mr. Brayton commented on the handout the school committee gave to FinCom showing the positions lost. He said not one administration position was lost.
Mr. Brayton stated that the reason for FinCom discussing the school department was the school committee asked for a recommendation from FinCom on the override at the March 9, 2009 meeting.
Discussion with Stephen Kozloski, Police Chief:
Mr. Keller opened the discussion with Chief Kozloski by saying that a few weeks ago FinCom received a spreadsheet~from Ms. Neggers and Ms. Mahar of potential places for cuts for the FY10 budget.~~FinCom wanted to talk with him regarding issues that pertained to his budget.
Mr. Keller asked Chief Kozloski to talk about the implications of eliminating one police officer:
- Chief Kozloski said that in 1986 the Town of Monson had 8 police officers, 3 supervisors and 1 chief. In 2009, 23 years later the Town of Monson has the same level of staffing; 8 police officers, 3 supervisors and 1chief.
- They are doing about 12,000 calls a year.
- The elimination of one police officer would significantly impact the core services they provide.
Discussion with Chief Kozloski regarding potentially cutting the $10,000 expense line on his budget:
- $7,500 would fund a proposal for the evergreen account-used to cycle out old computers
- $2,500 would be for the creation of the medical expense account
- He is looking to fund these two items that have not been funded before
Mr. Pennington asked Chief Kozloski if he had to make serious cuts to his budget where would they be from. Chief Kozloski said depending on the amount; tens of thousands would be in personnel, not dispatchers or part time workers. If only a few thousand that would come from computer technology expense and supplies.
Mr. Pennington remarked to Chief Kozloski that if you don’t get an override, tough decisions will need to be made. Chief Kozloski stated that he is looking at a stimulus amount of $10,000 a onetime amount and he is applying for grants to help.
Mr. Harrison asked if the town has to let one full time police officer go, does that mean there is a shift with one less police officer. Chief Kozloski said he would still be able to make sure there is two police officers on a shift but that would require him to be out taking calls. That would compromise the position of the Chief of Police.
Ms. O’Sullivan had a discussion with Chief Kozloski about the Quinn Bill. The Chief said he thinks that the legislature is going to be looking at the Quinn Bill. He said the state gives 50% and the town gives 50%, it is split.
Discussion with Chief Kozloski ended at 8:30pm
Discussion with George Robichaud, Fire Chief:
Mr. Keller opened the discussion with Chief Robichaud by saying that a few weeks ago FinCom received a spreadsheet~from Ms. Neggers and Ms. Mahar of potential places for cuts for the FY10 budget.~~FinCom wanted to talk with him regarding issues that pertained to his budget.
Mr. Keller asked Chief Robichaud what it would mean to reduce the clerk to 7hr days:
- Chief Robichaud said the clerk does all the billing. If she is not there to bill out, no revenue is coming in.
- The Ambulance bills are billed within a few days of the call, billing does not wait to be done all at the end of the month.
- This is not the place to reduce. Over a month it would add up to be a half week that the clerk is not in the office
Mr. Brayton asked about private ambulance services having fixed fees:
- Chief Robichaud said the problem with fixed fees is the insurance company only pays a set amount.
Mr. Brayton asked what has happened to make it not self supporting:
- Chief Robichaud said we are not bringing in as much revenue because of rates from insurance companies.
- Chief mentioned that several years ago a study was done on the cost to bring in a private company. It was well over one million.
- He said it costs $400,000 now for full time ambulance coverage.
Mr. Pennington asked Chief Robichaud if he has done anything to help with the budget:
- Chief Robichaud said he pays for his cell phone
- He no longer pays for a phone line that they don’t use
- He stopped the mobile data terminal service
- He said that these items save between $2,200-2,250 a year; this would cover the cost to keep the clerk at 8hr days.
Discussion with Chief Robichaud ended at 8:45pm.
Discussion with Mr. Brayton and the Finance Committee:
Mr. Brayton addressed the Finance Committee and informed them that he is on the Monson Retired Educators Association committee. The purpose of the committee is to look after and follow teacher’s retired medical benefits.
Mr. Margerison believes that Mr. Brayton’s position on the Monson Retired Educators Association committee is a conflict of interest with his position on the Finance Committee.
Mr. Pennington stated that as long as Mr. Brayton represents himself as an independent citizen and not as a member of the Finance Committee
Ms. O’Sullivan asked if this is a town committee. Mr. Brayton said no. This is a private group getting together educating retired teachers of their benefits.
The next scheduled meetings of the Finance Committee are:
Monday, March 23, 2009 at 6:45pm
Monday, March 30, 2009 at 6:45pm
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda I. Payette
Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee
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